Blue Devils hopes to step up defense vs. NCSU; Heels looking to score

The North Carolina and Duke football teams return to action today, both hoping to head into their open date having solved some issues on opposite sides of the ball.

For the Tar Heels, scoring is the concern. For the Blue Devils, stopping scores is the concern.

On paper, UNC appears to have the opponent more willing to cooperate.

The Tar Heels welcome Football Championship Subdivision foe Georgia Southern to Kenan Stadium for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff. UNC is coming off a 16-3 home loss to Virginia, a result that dropped the Heels to last in the ACC and 107th in the nation in scoring offense at 18.6 points per game.

Duke is coming off an encouraging 34-26 loss to No. 5 Virginia Tech. But it was a loss nonetheless, a game in which the Blue Devils allowed inconsistent quarterback Tyrod Taylor to look like Russell Wilson.

Today the Devils must contend with Wilson himself, facing N.C. State (4 p.m., ESPNU) and its usually unflappable quarterback in their first trip to Carter-Finley Stadium in seven years.

The good news for the Blue Devils is that they can score, leading the ACC in passing offense. There's good news for the Heels, as well, who lead the ACC in scoring defense.

-- BRYAN STRICKLAND